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Alert

Two journalists freed after being held for more than one month without charge

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is relieved to learn that reporter Ali Taha was freed on 7 February 2010, after 36 days in detention, and that cameraman Ali Ahmed was freed a few days later. The two journalists, who work for the TV station Rotana, were arrested on 2 January.

"The release of these two journalists is good news, but we condemn the fact that they were held for more than a month without charge," Reporters Without Borders said. "Ali Taha has no political links and his reporting is just about social issues."

Taha told Reporters Without Borders he was not mistreated while in detention but was not allowed to see a lawyer. He expressed his delight at being freed by quoting an Arab proverb: "He who has not endured chains does not know freedom."

Taha and Ahmed were arrested in the Damascus suburb of Sayda Zainab on 2 January. Taha has worked for years for the magazine "Saidati" as well as for Rotana TV.